In December, I missed my usual monthly round-up of my book reviews that appeared on Euro Crime, so now that January is over, I’m posting a double dose. Clicking on the title of the book will take you to the review. I’ve listed them roughly in order of enjoyment, with “most enjoyed” first. Purely by coincidence, there is a bit of a World War Two theme to this selection.
The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths. Forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway and Inspector Harry Nelson investigate a possible crime dating from the time of the Second World War. The vivid character of Ruth and the interactions between her and Harry are the chief asset of this delightful series. This novel has recently been reviewed by Bernadette at Reactions to Reading. (Previous novels in this trilogy are The Crossing Places and The Janus Stone.)
Frozen Out by Quentin Bates. Highly promising, assured debut about Icelandic police investigator “Gunna the cop”, a tenacious, intelligent officer. (Original written in English.)
Operation Napoleon by Arnaldur Indridason, translated from Icelandic by Victoria Cribb. Standalone thriller about a secret World War Two mission in which a plane crashed into a glacier and has only now been located. Bernadette has also recently reviewed this novel (see Reactions to Reading), as has Rob at The View from the Blue House.
A Jew Must Die by Jaques Chessex, translated from French by W. Donald Wilson. Novella-length fable about the evils of Nazism. There is an interesting recent post at the Allison and Busby blog about translated titles, using this book as an example.
1222 by Anne Holt, translated from Norwegian (possibly Swedish) by Marlaine Delargy. Agatha Christie homage set in snowed-in mountain hotel. One of a series featuring Hanne Wilhelmsen, this one is by no means the first but the first to be translated into English.
Bunker by Andrea Maria Schenkel, translated from German by Anthea Bell. Claustrophobic novella about a kidnapping from the alternating perspectives of perpetrator and victim.
All my Euro Crime reviews are archived here.
An archive of almost all of my reviews is here, categorised by country, genre, etc.
Reviews of some other books I’ve read recently are below this post, so do scroll down for more recommendations.
Petrona 
See I am on to your sneaky tricks now and I just automatically add your reviewed book each week to my wishlist, then you can’t make me add multiple books at once 🙂
I know you found some of it didn’t work but I am looking forward to 1222 – it’s glaring at me in all it’s blue-ness from my TBR pile right now 🙂
Looking forward to your review of that one, Bernadette!
Maxine – Thanks so much as always for this summary. I especially feel bad that I haven’t yet read The House at Sea’s End and that I haven’t yet read Frozen Out. I like Ruth Galloway, and I really was intrigued by your review of Frozen Out. I must get to them soon…
Scroll down for further recommendations, you say. Haven´t we had plenty temptations lately? ;D
All right, this just tipped me over the cliff about buying “The House at Sea’s End,” from the Book Depository. Since I (and a friend) like Ruth Galloway so much, I am tempted enough now, as my library will take a decade to get this book. I will read “1222,” somehow. Chessex’s title is too brutal, and I avoid books on WWII; I know enough. “Frozen Out,” looks good, and I saw a comment on Camilla Ceder’s book, too, which interested me. Thanks.